Feds Move to Protect Kids From Window Blind Cord Strangulation

They don’t look dangerous – not like a knife or open flame – but the cords on window blinds and shades can be just as deadly when they get wrapped around a child’s neck.

Almost every month, on average, another child dies from window cord strangulation, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). These cords are on the commission’s list of the top five “hidden hazards” in the home.

The industry for years has said that voluntary manufacturing standards and its own educational programs were enough to reduce the death toll.

But the government now thinks that may not be enough. The CPSC voted unanimously on Wednesday to start the rulemaking process that could eventually lead to mandatory safety standards for all new window coverings.

Escaped Boko Haram Member Speaks Out

There are reports that the Nigerian troops who have in recent times engaged the dreaded Boko Haram in fierce battle are gaining upper hand.

One of the new recruits who escaped the Boko Haram captivity has revealed how they were forced in joining the Islamist group.

Mobile squad of terrorists carrying black and white Jihadists’ flags.

While the sect have continued to forcefully recruit new members, however, it appears there is confusion in the camp of the Islamist group as to who will head the sect following the death of their leader, Abubakar Shekau, Saturday Sun reports.

Jonathan Increases Troops In North To Fight Boko Haram

 With the current spate of insecurity in the country, President Goodluck Jonathan in a bid to put an end to terrorism in the country has reportedly increased the number of troops from 15,000 to 20,000 in the North Eastern states.

Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

This was disclosed by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, during a lecture delivered at a forum in London, accoring to Punch.

26 Killed, 80 Houses Burnt In Plateau

Not less than 26 people have reportedly been killed, with over 80 houses burnt in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State in the last one week by suspected Fulani herdsmen. 

This was made known in statement issued on Friday in Jos by the national caretaker committee chairman of Berom Youth Movement (BYM), Rwang Dantong, a copy obtained by ThisDay.

Dantong further revealed that those killed in the past few days comprised a pregnant woman in Lwa and an intended bride whose wedding was scheduled to take place (today) October 11, 2014.

2015: Jonathan Will Win - Celestine Omehia

With the 2015 elections fast approaching, there has been many opinions, views, predictions, revelations and more on the outcome of the election, who will rule Nigeria.

One of who is former governor of Rivers State, Celestine Omehia, who has shared his opinion that President Goodluck Jonathan will win the 2015 Presidential elections.

Former governor of Rivers State, Celestine Omehi

Omeiha made this known in Abuja as he told newsmen that with the call of some Nigerians for Jonathan to run for second term the President will consider the desire of the people.

Military Aircraft Crashes In Yola

A military aircraft on Friday reportedly crashed at the Yola International Airport, Adamawa State.

Leadership reports that the supposed tragedy that would have struck the Nigerian military was however, averted as there was no casualty recorded in the incident.

It was reported that the aircraft was damaged but the pilot and other crew members miraculously escaped without sustaining any injury.

Meanwhile, it was the averted tragedy that left the Adamawa State Governor, Mr. Bala Ngillari, and some of his executives stranded at the airport as the incident crumbled the departure of the governor’s plane that was scheduled to depart for Abuja on an official assignment.

PDP Govs, Leaders Clash Over Endorsement

The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors and national leaders of the party have reportedly clashed over the stoppage of consensus endorsement of their candidature and others in their states for the 2015 election.

The aggrieved governors on Friday kicked against the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) decision to stop them from further endorsing candidates that would succeed them after their tenures elapses, The Nation reports. The governors, who alleged that the NWC was acting in connection with the presidency to stop endorsement accused the presidency and the NWC  of ‘double standards’ after President Goodluck Jonathan had benefited from the same consensus endorsement. Some of the governor opined that they may request the National Convention of the party to revisit the endorsement of Jonathan by the National Executive Committee (NEC).

President Jonathan at a political rally held recently.

It would be recalled that on Thursday, Prof. Wale Oladipo, the National Secretary of the party in a statement declared null and void the endorsement of governorship, senatorial and other candidates by the governors and state chapters of the party. It ordered the states chairmen and governors to stop such endorsements. Meanwhile, the annulment of such endorsement would have affected candidates like the Senate President, David Mark, who is eyeing the fifth term in office, Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), some outgoing governors already marked for the Senate like Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom state;  Benue state Governor, Gabriel Suswam, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta state, Governor Saidu Dakingari of Kebbi state, Governor Theodore Orji of Abia state, Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu state, Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina state, Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger state as well as Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi state. Others affected by the NWC’s decision are those seeking second term in office like Governor Ramalan Yero of Kaduna state, the Acting Governor of Taraba State, Garba Umar; Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe state; Governor Henry Seriake-Dickson of Bayelsa state, among others, while those whose governorship endorsements have been cancelled are Emmanuel Ugwuanyi (Enugu); the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu (Ebonyi); former Minister of State for Health, Dr. Ali Pate (Bauchi).